Water Conservation

To conserve water means to use it wisely and to not be wasteful. Conserving water is a very important part of making sure there is enough water to meet the needs of humans and the environment. And even though we might have enough fresh water available to meet our needs today, we also need to plan for the future.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District), along with other local governments and organizations, are responsible for managing the water in west-central Florida to make sure there is enough to go around. The District relies on YOU to help conserve water as a resident and water user yourself!

no leaks please

Taking Action to Save Water!

Everyday, people in Florida and around the world use fresh water for drinking, cooking, bathing, agriculture, recreation, business and more! Think about your day so far. What are the different ways that you have used water? Are there any ways that you think you could have used water more wisely?

When we each take simple actions to save water, it can make a BIG difference. Check out the tips below to get started.

Indoors:

  • Turn off the faucet when scrubbing dishes, brushing your teeth or washing your hands. Don’t let water run down the drain when it’s not in use.
  • Take shorter showers. Challenge everyone in your house to take a 5-minute shower to save water.
  • Flush less and check for leaks. Only flush the toilet when you need to and don’t use it as a trash can. Check toilets and faucets for leaks regularly. A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water a day!
  • Install water-saving fixtures. Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators help to reduce the amount of water being used per minute.

Outdoors:

  • Water your lawn and plants only when needed. Overwatering creates an unhealthy environment for plants and also wastes water. Follow the Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM program guidelines to keep an outdoor area looking beautiful, while also saving water!
  • Use a nozzle on your garden hose. By adding a nozzle to your garden hose, you’ll be able to turn the water on and off and reduce water waste.
  • Watch the weather and wait to water your lawn. Remember, rainfall is a natural and free source of water! Only water your lawn or plant beds if they need more water.

Now, put on your cape and discover how to become a water superhero!